State Librarian's Report
Ken Wiggin reported that the lease for the off-site storage facility on Van Block Street was approved by the Property Review Board. The next step is a review of the lease by the Attorney General's office. It is expected that by the end of the year the State Library will be using the facility.

The Commission on Education Technology will hold its first meeting on August 22, 2000. Mr. Wiggin is a member of this Commission.

The Connecticut Heritage Foundation's Development Committee met on July 17, and is making good progress on fundraising plans.

The new Connecticut Lottery Commission commercial featuring the State Library's History and Genealogy Unit, was shown to the Board. Mr. Wiggin commended Unit Head Dick Roberts not only for his part in the commercial but also for coordinating the staff, film crew and all the details involved in having the production crew at the State Library for 12 hours. Mr. Wiggin also commended State Library staff member Kevin Johnson, who was featured in the commercial, for doing a great job. In addition to the television commercial there is a 30 second radio spot. Mr. Wiggin is interested in making both the radio and television spots into State Library public service announcements.

Lynne Newell referred to the New England Ancestors magazine article that was distributed to the Board with their packets. The article entitled "More than just the Barbour Collection: Genealogy at the Connecticut State Library" gives a very informative description of the History and Genealogy Unit's services, as well as a floor plan, and also other State Library resources.

Ms. Newell also reported that The Connecticut Law Tribune contacted Law & Legislative Reference Unit Head Denise Jernigan about writing an article for their magazine. Ms. Jernigan agreed and wrote a tremendous article which was published in the week of July 17, 2000 issue. The article is entitled "Performing on the Balance Beam." A copy was distributed to the Board.

Director of Library Development Sharon Brettschneider updated the Board on the Connecticut Digital Library. The State Library has prepared a Request for Proposal. All libraries in Connecticut will have access to full text magazine articles, full text newspapers, and business databases. Ms. Brettschneider and Ken Wiggin have already met with the Department of Higher Education with whom this project is a collaberative effort. The State Library is waiting to hear from the Department of Information Technology in order to issue the RFP. The State Library is hopeful that access to these databases will be available by the end of October.

Other ReportsConnecticut Library Association (CLA): Jay Johnston introduced himself as CLA's new President and also the Director of the Southington Public Library. Mr. Johnston stated that Connecticut's librarians are delighted with the efforts of the new State Librarian, Ken Wiggin. Mr. Johnston continued that Ken Wiggin is a true professional and is always very willing to work with librarians in the field.

The Connecticut Library Association is working diligently on its budget which has already passed through the CLA Budget Committee. CLA is trying very hard to spend less than last year.

This year Mr. Johnston would like to focus on celebrating librarians, support staff and the CLA Conference. Mr. Johnston will try to get a proclamation from the Governor acknowledging librarians. Another goal is to work with the Connecticut Black Caucus in order to cultivate people of color into the library profession.

Advisory Council for Library Planning and Development (ACLPD): Chair Richard Lowenstein reported that ACLPD is still looking to fill membership vacancies for Regions 1, 3 and 6. Mr. Lowenstein requested that anyone with suggestions should contact Sharon Brettschneider. ACLPD is also looking to fill the persons with a disability category for membership. The ACLPD nominations form was distributed.

Cooperating Library Service Units (CLSU): Anita Barney reported for Pam Bombara. Ms. Barney reported on the CLSUs involvement with summer reading programs for children. Libraries often have a theme for their program and use posters, reading records and bookmarks to encourage the children to participate. For the past few years, summer reading programs for adults have been started as well as efforts to begin summer programs for young adults.

Michael Golrick added that the Southern Connecticut Library Council has made arrangements with the New Haven Ravens baseball team to distribute vouchers for their games against the Norwich Navigators. The vouchers are distributed to children successfully completing the reading guidelines of their library's Summer Reading Program.

Ms. Barney also distributed a CLSU Sponsored Continuing Education document for July 1999 - June 2000.

Association of Connecticut Library Boards (ACLB): Sharon Brettschneider reported for Phil James, President of ACLB. The ACLB is organizing a Statewide Leadership Conference for September 22, 2000, at the Heritage Conference Center in Southbury, Connecticut. An announcement will be forthcoming. The ACLB Awards ceremony is scheduled for the evening of September 21, also at the Heritage Conference Center in Southbury. This year a $2,000 ACLB scholarship will be awarded.

At this time, Ken Wiggin stated that while he was at the American Library Association (ALA) Conference, he was given a plaque to be placed in the State Library from the ALA's Association for Library Trustees and Advocates, National Advocacy Honor Roll. Mr. Wiggin presented Board member Jack Short with a pin from ALA's Association for Library Trustees and Advocates. Mr. Short's name is also on the plaque along with the names of Target '76, Faith Hektoen, Phillip James, Lillian Levin, Virginia Mathews and Adeline Mix. On behalf of the State Library Board, Ann Clark congratulated Jack Short for receiving this honor.

Advocacy Committee: Board member Larry Kibner reported that he and Ken Wiggin are working on updating the State Library's self promotion packet. In addition to legislative matters, Mr. Kibner feels that the Board should concentrate on advocacy on the local library level. Mr. Wiggin distributed an example of what the Board information looks like on the State Library's website.

Friends: Jack Short stated that he has no formal report to give as he was in Kentucky during the last Friends' meeting. Mr Short participated in the Kentucky State Library's Community Library Advocacy Project.

Old BusinessFY 2000-2001 and FY 2002-2003 Biennial Budget/Legislation: Ken Wiggin reported that the State Library Board's Finance Committee will be meeting in August. The State Library had not yet received budget guidelines. Mr. Wiggin would like to request, from the Bond Commission, the full $2 ½ million for the next round of public library construction grants.

State Library Board Retreat: Ann Clark stated that she is looking forward to a positive and productive State Library Board Retreat. Ms. Clark reminded the Board that the dress for the day is casual. Ms. Clark and Ken Wiggin will be meeting with the facilitator soon to plan the program.

New BusinessApproval of the State Public Library Construction Grant for the Hagaman Memorial Library in East Haven: Building Consultant Mary Louise Jensen explained that the Hagaman Memorial Library is seeking its second grant extension. East Haven is working with an architect to assess the construction needs and ways to reduce the project's costs. Ms. Jensen introduced the Director of the Hagaman Memorial Library, Nancy McNichol. Ms. McNichol read a letter from the Chairman of the Hagaman Memorial Library Building Committee, Carmen Parlato, in support of the request for a grant extension. It was MOVED (B. Gallucci) seconded (F. Petersen) THAT THE STATE LIBRARY BOARD APPROVES HAGAMAN MEMORIAL LIBRARY's EXTENSION OF THE DEADLINE TO INITITATE ITS PROJECT FOR THE $500,000 STATE PUBLIC LIBRARY CONSTRUCTION GRANT TO NOVEMBER 29, 2001. PASSED unanimously.

Report of the Nominations Committee: At this point in the meeting Chairperson Ann Clark turned the meeting over to the Board's Secretary, Ken Wiggin. Ms. Clark and Vice-Chair Ed Sullivan left the room so that the Board could have free and open discussion about the elections/re-election of Officers. Mr. Wiggin called for a MOTION (M. Keller) seconded (F. Hennessy) TO APPOINT FRED PETERSEN AS CHAIR PRO TEM IN ABSENCE OF MS. CLARK AND MR. SULLIVAN. PASSED unanimously.

Mr. Petersen asked for a report of the Nominations Committee. Judge Hennessy, Chair of the Nominations Committee, reported that he and Bob Gallucci polled the Board for nominations to the officers positions. As a result of the poll, the Nominations Committee is recommending Ann Clark to serve as Chair and Ed Sullivan as Vice Chair for a one-year term or until a successor is elected. It was MOVED (J. Short) seconded (J. Hostage) TO CLOSE THE NOMINATIONS AND RE-ELECT ANN CLARK AS CHAIR AND ED SULLIVAN AS VICE-CHAIR FOR ANOTHER ONE-YEAR TERM OR UNTIL A SUCCESSOR IS ELECTED. PASSED unanimously.

Ms. Clark and Mr. Sullivan rejoined the meeting and were given the results of the election. Ms. Clark thanked the Board for electing her to another term and also thanked Judge Hennessy and Mr. Gallucci for serving on the Nominations Committee. Ms. Clark resumed the Chair position.

Other Business
Ms. Clark asked Board members to please forward any topics they would like discussed at the retreat to Jane Beaudoin.

Ken Wiggin informed the Board that the July 6 Hartford Circus Fire Commemoration was a great success and encouraged everyone to see the archival exhibit in Memorial Hall. Fred Petersen added that he agrees the Commemoration was very successful and felt that there were very moving comments made by the survivors and their families.

At 2:35 p.m., it was MOVED (E. Sullivan) seconded (F. Petersen) THAT THE MEETING BE ADJOURNED. The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, September 25, 2000, at 1:15 p.m. (lunch at 12:30 p.m.) in the Attorney's Conference Room.

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